People are more and more adverse to adding to the pollution of the planet - and further endangering their own health - by using chemical insecticides. Still, we all prefer to go about our daily routine untroubled by pesky bugs. Fortunately, essential oil insect repellent is effective and lets us have our cake and eat it, too, without uninvited guests!
In the old days, newly discovered insecticides were embraced and used enthusiastically. Perhaps the most notorious was DDT, hailed as the answer to plagues of bed bugs, mosquitoes, and the coddling moth that was destroying apple orchards. Many other bugs succumbed to this powerful poison.
However, we now know that many of these chemicals harm fish and birds, leave toxic residues in our food, threaten vital pollinators like bees and butterflies, and may be destroying our soil and our water supply. Bird populations that had declined sharply, like the ospreys, have recovered since DDT and some other pesticides have been banned. It was discovered that birds who ate poisoned insects laid eggs with shells too thin to protect the babies inside.
Today those who love wildlife and the natural world can choose to avoid modern bug repellent products whose safety is already being questioned. The essential oil of many plants is effective against pests, like spiders in the basement or mosquitoes on the patio. You can find recipes online to make your own, or you can buy all-natural products ready made. You can use them in your home, in your garden, in your barnyard and stable, and on your person.
Essential oil sprays can be made with a carrier oil or with a water base. Water is usually mixed with witch hazel or vodka in recipes found online. From 10 to 75 drops of essential oil are added to three ounces of carrier solution, depending on what you will use the repellent for and what oils you are using. Make sure to shake the mixture vigorously before use to disperse the oils. If you use alcohol in the carrier solution, you can add a half ounce of jojoba oil for its moisturizing qualities.
Instead of water, you can use a carrier oil. Sunflower, extra-virgin olive oil, apricot kernel, and fractionated coconut oil are all good carrier oils. An oil-based insecticide is good when you need a long-lasting effect; for instance, you can rub a tea tree oil mix on your dog to repel fleas and ticks. A fragrant oil is great for moisturizing summer-dry skin while also keeping biting insects away.
Mosquitoes are repelled by almost all fragrant oils. Horseflies hate tansy, peppermint, thyme, and cedarwood. Lemon eucalyptus is good for keeping almost any bug away. For fleas, try lemongrass, cedarwood, lavender, tea tree, thyme, and oregano. For gnats, eucalyptus and citronella are good, as are the mints. Get a citronella candle to help keep insects away at night. You can also rub a bit of lemon balm, catnip, or mint on your face when you are gardening; add a few sprigs to your hat, too, to keep the gnats away.
Plants produce these volatile oils to repel pests, as well as to attract pollinators. Other good oils include clove, grapefruit, lemon, pine, rosemary, and cinnamon. Peppermint oil applied full strength to the corners of basement and garage space keeps spiders out. Experiment to find your favorite oils.
In the old days, newly discovered insecticides were embraced and used enthusiastically. Perhaps the most notorious was DDT, hailed as the answer to plagues of bed bugs, mosquitoes, and the coddling moth that was destroying apple orchards. Many other bugs succumbed to this powerful poison.
However, we now know that many of these chemicals harm fish and birds, leave toxic residues in our food, threaten vital pollinators like bees and butterflies, and may be destroying our soil and our water supply. Bird populations that had declined sharply, like the ospreys, have recovered since DDT and some other pesticides have been banned. It was discovered that birds who ate poisoned insects laid eggs with shells too thin to protect the babies inside.
Today those who love wildlife and the natural world can choose to avoid modern bug repellent products whose safety is already being questioned. The essential oil of many plants is effective against pests, like spiders in the basement or mosquitoes on the patio. You can find recipes online to make your own, or you can buy all-natural products ready made. You can use them in your home, in your garden, in your barnyard and stable, and on your person.
Essential oil sprays can be made with a carrier oil or with a water base. Water is usually mixed with witch hazel or vodka in recipes found online. From 10 to 75 drops of essential oil are added to three ounces of carrier solution, depending on what you will use the repellent for and what oils you are using. Make sure to shake the mixture vigorously before use to disperse the oils. If you use alcohol in the carrier solution, you can add a half ounce of jojoba oil for its moisturizing qualities.
Instead of water, you can use a carrier oil. Sunflower, extra-virgin olive oil, apricot kernel, and fractionated coconut oil are all good carrier oils. An oil-based insecticide is good when you need a long-lasting effect; for instance, you can rub a tea tree oil mix on your dog to repel fleas and ticks. A fragrant oil is great for moisturizing summer-dry skin while also keeping biting insects away.
Mosquitoes are repelled by almost all fragrant oils. Horseflies hate tansy, peppermint, thyme, and cedarwood. Lemon eucalyptus is good for keeping almost any bug away. For fleas, try lemongrass, cedarwood, lavender, tea tree, thyme, and oregano. For gnats, eucalyptus and citronella are good, as are the mints. Get a citronella candle to help keep insects away at night. You can also rub a bit of lemon balm, catnip, or mint on your face when you are gardening; add a few sprigs to your hat, too, to keep the gnats away.
Plants produce these volatile oils to repel pests, as well as to attract pollinators. Other good oils include clove, grapefruit, lemon, pine, rosemary, and cinnamon. Peppermint oil applied full strength to the corners of basement and garage space keeps spiders out. Experiment to find your favorite oils.
About the Author:
Find a list of the benefits you get when you use an essential oil insect repellent and view our selection of essential oils at http://www.paulopolis.com/product/petitgrain-orange-essential-oil-2-oz now.
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